By Hope, Campbell, CA USA
PROM at 22 weeks + 1 days. Delivery at 28 weeks + 5 days.
Story added: 2004-06-22

My husband and I were so happy when we got pregnant. This was our first baby and at 8 weeks into the pregnancy we found out we were having twins. At 20 weeks we found out they were twin boys! I was so careful during this pregnancy because I wanted everything to go well. I stopped running for exercise and just did weekly walks. Everything was going just perfectly. Then, at 22 weeks and 1 day into my pregnancy I was at work in the restroom when I felt a gush of water come out into the toilet. I stood up and looked to see a bowl full of blood. I was really scared...the first thing to cross my mind was that I had a urinary infection. I immediately called the doctor and told him what happened and he wanted to see me right away. Luckily I worked only 10 minutes from his office. When I arrived I learned the bad news that I had leaked amniotic fluid because my water bag had broken. The doctor told me to immediately go across the street to the hospital and check myself in. He told me that this would be where I would spend the rest of my pregnancy. I checked myself in and my husband met me there. We learned that twin A's sack was ruptured and the Perinatologist told us the grim chances of a positive outcome. He told me that I would most likely go into labor within a few days and asked if we wanted to terminate the pregnancy. We knew that was not an option. So we went home to return at the 23 week mark when the babies would be viable if delivered. So we went home and I was in bed for a week. Each and every day of that first week was terrifying, not knowing what to expect. At week 23 I checked into the hospital. The babies were monitored 3 times a day and I continued to leak fluid each day. The days passed and things stayed the same which was good. Every now and then I did have contractions show up on the monitor, but they always went away. I was always so scared that I would go into labor when I contracted. The doctors were surprised I was there day after day. Then at 28 weeks 5 days I started bleeding pretty heavily and I had pretty painful contractions that got more and more regular. The doctor said it was time for me to deliver.

I delivered my twins (Justin and Jason) at 28 weeks 5 days into my pregnancy. They babies were quickly taken to the NICU. Justin was the ruptured twin and his lungs just were not working. He put up quite a fight, but his tiny lungs just couldn’t sustain him. He lived for only 2 days. Jason is still in the NICU and is doing very well. After 7 weeks we are hoping to bring him home soon. Justin is our little angel. He stayed in my tummy long enough to give Jason life. He is our hero!

It is so important to maintain a positive attitude throughout the time you are on bedrest. I strongly believe that this is why I was able to last so long with PROM. We are truly blessed to have a healthy boy and we will never forget our angel, Justin.

Feel free to email me if you'd like to talk.